B-Tech Project

The B-Tech Project provides authoritative guidance and resources for implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights (UNGPs) in the technology space. In 2019, UN Human Rights launched the project after consultations with civil society, business, States, and other experts about the scope of the B-Tech Project.

The B-Tech project is structured along four strategic focus areas:

• Focus Area 1: Addressing Human Rights Risks in Business Models
• Focus Area 2: Human Rights Due Diligence and End-Use
• Focus Area 3: Accountability and Remedy
• Focus Area 4: “A Smart Mix of Measures”: Exploring regulatory and policy responses to human rights challenges linked to digital technologies

Adding to this, the project also explores the responsibilities of investors in the technology space, as a cross-cutting theme.

Documents

Project documents

• Scoping paper (final version)
  
• Key trends and takeaways from the public consultation process on the draft scoping paper
  
• B-Tech Project's overview
• B-Tech FAQ on business engagement

Foundational papers

As part of on-going consultation with key stakeholders, the B-Tech Project has published foundational papers. These papers are written for leaders from across the technology sector, investor community, civil society, and government seeking to understand the key features of the UNGPs. The series is being released to frame discussions among diverse stakeholders as part of a global process to produce guidance, tools and practical recommendations to advance implementation of the UNGPs in the technology sector.

• Addressing Business Model Related Human Rights Risks
• An Introduction to the UN Guiding Principles in the Age of Technology
• Key Characteristics of Business Respect for Human Rights
• Identifying Human Rights Risks Related to End-Use
• Taking Action to Address Human Rights Risks Related to End-Use
• Access to remedy and the technology sector: basic concepts and principles
• Access to remedy and the technology sector: a "remedy ecosystem" approach
• Designing and implementing effective company-based grievance mechanisms
• Access to remedy and the technology sector: understanding the perspectives and needs of affected people and groups
• Bridging Governance Gaps in the Age of Technology – Key Characteristics of the State Duty to Protect
  

Briefings

• Rights-Respecting Investment in Technology Companies
  

Blog posts

• Blog post on the response of technology companies to the attack on the United States Capitol on 6 January 2021
• Blog post by GANHRI on public policy and digital technologies: The role of National Human Rights Institutions in achieving policy coherence
  
• Blog post on bridging the private equity gap to tackle tech business model risks
  

Community of Practice

• PDF “One pager B-Tech Community of Practice”
• PDF “Reflections On the Status of Business Respect For Human Rights in the Technology Sector”
• PDF “Strategic Aspects of Business Respect for Human Rights - Part One: Overview and Reflections on Current Practice”
• PDF “Strategic Aspects of Business Respect for Human Rights - Part Two: Themes for Further Attention”
• PDF “COP meeting with Special Rapporteurs”

Event, meetings, etc.

This section includes certain events and other types of meetings related to the B-Tech Project and in which OHCHR took part or is planning to take part, and which can be made public. If you would like to notify the B-Tech Project team of, or invite us to, relevant events, or propose organizing  an event with us, please contact OHCHR-B-techproject@un.org.

Newsletter

• Volume 1, September 2020
• Volume 1, February 2021

For any questions or comments or further information regarding the B-tech project, please contact OHCHR-B-techproject@un.org. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Video

UN Human Rights B-Tech: Panel discussion on Human Rights risks in tech business models